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As Jay opened the letter, they could have done a backflip because they were so overjoyed. Gale had finally managed to locate the ring they were looking for: a magical ring that would make Astarion immune to damage caused by sunlight. The vampire spawn could finally live a normal life in broad daylight again.
In the morning, when Jay was usually out hunting, they met up with Gale just outside the village where they and Astarion were currently staying.
"You're just the best. How can I ever thank you for that?", the Drow asked gratefully as they inspected the ring; a simple iron band with a bloody-red ruby. It was even Astarion's style.
"No need to thank me. That's what friends are for, right? I hope you don't mind I used it for a lecture on magical artifacts. Now, do you have any plans on giving it to Astarion?"
"I'm glad you're asking. I'm going to propose. I want to spend the rest of my life with Astarion and what would be better for a proposal than gifting him a way to enjoy the sun again?"
"I think it's perfect. He can consider himself lucky to have you by his side."
"I'm just as lucky to have him. In a way, we saved each other. Anyways, I should go check on my traps. He's gonna be suspicious if I return home without breakfast."
"Right. And I should get back to my students. I don't want to get their hopes up that the lecture would be canceled today. See you in 2 tendays at camp. I hope for good news." With that the Wizard opened a portal and vanished.
Jay went on to check their living traps throughout the forest, finding a squirrel and a badger. The squirrel was nothing more than a little snack for Astarion, but the badger would clearly satisfy his hunger for a while.
When they returned home, they found Astarion hunched over the kitchen table, trying to sew with nothing but the flickering light of a single candle. The curtains were all drawn shut to block out the sunlight.
'Tomorrow, this will all be over.', Jay thought, the ring weighing heavily in their pocket.
"Love, I bought you some food. You can choose between a squirrel and a badger." The pale elf stood up, striding over to his partner.
"Badger sounds nice. But right now, I am craving a certain, handsome Drow."
"Oh. Should I be worried? They sound like quite the catch.", said Drow teased.
"Oh they are. The biggest catch of all.", the vampire grinned, nuzzling into his partner's neck, kissing the mark left from over a hundred bites. Jay chuckled softly, leaning their head to the side, giving Astarion better access.
"What are waiting for then? Dinner is served."
About an hour or two later, Jay awoke from their nap. Having their blood drained - even if it was just a few, yet strong, sips - always exhausted them.
"What where you working on, love? When I came home?", they asked tiredly, their head resting on Astarion's chest.
"I noticed a button on your coat for the meeting at camp was loose. I fixed it for you. I know your eyesight is not the best for such close, fine task." The Drow smiled softly. They truly struggled seeing things very close to their face with much detail. They thanked to gods every day to see just enough to make out every wonderful detail of Astarion's face, like the lovely mole on his cheek or the way a few stray curles fell on his forehead.
"Thank you. You're the best."
"You deserve only the best, darling. You agreed to a life in darkness to be with me. The least I can do is be the best man you could ever dream of."
Later that night, the couple took a walk through the woods by the village. Jay led them to their favorite spot: a waterfall deep in the woods. The way the first rays of sunshine hit the waterfall gave Astarion the chance to enjoy the sun for a while longer than usual without the risk of burning. They sat down on a mossy rock together, enjoying the cool mist in the air and on their skin. With every passing minute, Jay grew more and more nervous. It felt like the ring was burning a hole in their pocket. The first ray of light crepts through the trees above, staring to douse the area in a soft golden glow. The Drow took a deep breath, watching Astarion admire the light. Now or never. With one hand by the pocket with the ring, they pulled the elf into a stand with the other hand.
"My star, you said you wanted to be the best man for me. I can tell you: just be yourself. You are perfect in every way."
"I'm far from perfect.", the vampire interjected.
"You are perfect to me. From the night you bit me for the first time, I knew we had something special. You trusted me enough to share your secrets with me, to let your guard down around me. You said more than once I am the first person you care about in centuries. Together, we bring out the best in each other. When someone asks me what home is, I can give an answer again. I never felt home anywhere until I met you. You are my home, love. We both had to fend for ourselves for so long. But this is over now. We have each other and I never want this to end." Shaking, the Drow went down onto one knee, slipping the ring on the elf's finger just in time for the sun to fully shine on them.
"Astarion Ancunin, will you marry me?"
Astarion just stared at them, jaw dropping. He felt the sun on his skin again and it didn't burn. He saw the love of his life kneeling before him, asking him to become their husband.
"Jay, what is this?", he asked in disbelief, just waiting for the burning sensation to kick in.
"It's a ring of the sun-walker. As long as you wear it, you can walk in the sun unharmed. Gale actually helped me aquire it.", the drow explained softly: "Now, not even the sun can take away your freedom again." With those words, it finally seemed to click in the vampire's head. He dropped down, hugging his beloved tightly.
"I'm free!", he cried happily. "We're not confined to a life in the dark anymore. We can live a normal life. Well, as normal as a vampire spawn and his drow spouse, who happen to be the heroes of Baldur's Gate can be."
"Spouse? Does that mean you'll marry me?"
"Obviously! Sometimes, you're truly an idiot. But you're my idiot, for all eternity."